Package labeling machine



Feb. 23, 1943.

I J. F. SCHENCK, JR, ETAL PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 27, 1942 2 H m J wm m w 3 SW I ,Mo JR Feb. 23, 1943.J.F.SCHENCK,JR., ETAL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1942 N Jam! F.S CHENCK,5E. Reamer W- Pnr gg o g (Ittomeg3 Feb. 23, 1943.

J. F. SCHENCK; JR, ETAL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 n 2% JK53 CT m M. W ET m M ha mwww (lttomeg s Feb. 23, 1943. J SCHENCK, R ETAL2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 2'7, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN E5CHEHCK,JE

* Roam N PHTTEKSOH Zhwentors 1943 J. F. SCHENCK, JR, ET AL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 R J S w.wm w c E S J m Wm 0a =E\ n @HA\ 4 5 L, *l I v v w w u. S .i a

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E 52 2: i a E? Feb. 23, 1943.

J. F. SCHENC K, JR, ET AL. PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE e sheets-sheet 6Filed April 27, @1942 e, a s 1m m GR M Hu a A E TM a 7 w 7 J a PatentedFeb. 23, 1943 PACKAGE LABELING iviAomNE John F. Schenck, J12, and RobertW. Patterson, Shelby, N. G.

Application April-27, 1942,- SeriaLNo. 44 ,612

14 Claims.

This invention relates to amachine for applying labels to articles ofmerchandise andthe like and, more particularly to improvement in thestructure shown in Patent No. 1,970,835 of September 25, 1934.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for applyinglabels to packages such as spools, in which an assembly ofintermittently rotatable label carrying nozzles are employed, togetherwith means for moving one of said nozzles and its associated label,against the end of the spool while the nozzle assembly is not rotating.

It is another object of this invention to provide a machine having meansfor successively applying adhesive labels to packages, such as spools ofthread, in combination with amechanism for subsequently pressing theappliedlabel more firmly in position, while another label is applied tothe next succeeding package or spool.

It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a labeling machinecomprising a plurality of nozzles, revoluble intermittently aboutacommon axis, each of said nozzles being adapted'tosuccessively passadjacent three elements, namely av label magazine, a spray head, and apackage to be labeled. While onenozzle is receivinga label from themagazine, the label on the adjacent nozzle is being rendered adhesive bythe spray head, and the adhesive label on a third nozzle is beingapplied to the package.

Some of the objects of the invention having beenstated other objectswill appear as thedescription proceeds when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the upper portion of the labeling machine,omitting the package feed and showing other portions in section;

Figure 1A is a vertical sectional view showing the lower portion of thelabeling machine, said view showing the lower portion of the machine,the upper half of which is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan View taken along the line 22 in Figure 1A;

Figure 3 is 'a plan view showing certain portions-thereof in sectionof'the labeling-machine, said view being taken along the line 3-3-inFigure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan View taken along the line 44 in Figure 1illustratinga spring and cam means for moving the nozzles and turretstoward and away from the package to be labeled;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3showing a detail of a brake for thelabel magazine;

i urefi s a vv r ca a v ak n lon Figure is-a e tiona det il pue th packae chute, andtaken alongthe line 'I-Tin Ei ure Figured is a, sectionalviewthroughthe valve which controls the compressed airfiowto theatomizin quipmen FigureQis an enlarged vertical sectionalview takenalong the line 99 in Figure 3 illustrating portions of, the labelmagazines, label nozzles, l b r t-s. and: p ka e hu Figure 10 is avertical sectional; view taken along theline Ill-[11in Figure 3;;-

F'igure 11i is;an, enlarged;- sectional view similar tothe centralportion of Figure lushowing the label presser mechanism in contactingposition with the opposedendsof a labeled spool;

Figure 12isa sectional view similar toFigure 11 but showing the actionof the mechanism when a label is omitted from one end of the spool;

Figure 13-is a sectional plan view throughthe label turrets; andnozzles, said view being taken along lines 3-43 in Figures 1 and 9;

Figure I4 is a sectionalplanviewtakenalong the line I ll 4 in Figure 9Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of thenozzles and-associatedspool,

asthe spool is beingmoved from label applying position;

' shaft.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral I0 denotessuitable side frames of conventional make between which a lowed bedplate H and anupper-bedplate I2 are secured.

Packager feed 1 Th upp r ed plate has; ananis ck t I4 secured; theretoby any suitable; means such as a stud bolt l5, and the upper; end ofthisbracket has-secured; thereto, asat l 6, a.package or spool chute ll(Figures 3,4,an1d; 6). By observing Figure 7;the det ails of the spool;chute llcan: be more clearly seen. It. is, here seenv that the chutecomprises a pair of angle iron members I9, so positioned relative toeach other as to form a trough between which suitable packages such asspools 20 are adapted to be positioned. A piece of strap iron, or thelike, 2| serves to loosely confine the spools 20 within the chute oneabove the other. This member 2| may be adjusted so as to vary theeffective depth of the chute by means of L-shaped bracket members 22,one leg of each bracket being secured to the strap member 2| as at 2|a,and its other leg being adjustably secured to one of the members I9 bymeans of a stud bolt 23. Since the bolt 23 penetrates a slot 22a and hasits inner end r embedded in one leg of member l9, it is evident that themembers 2| and 22 may be adjusted to accommodate spools of differentdiameters.

The lower portion of the chute I1 is cut-away as at 25 thereby exposingboth ends of the lowermost spool 20. Slightly below these cut-away Labelapplying mechanism;

other side a description will be made only of the parts on one side ofthe machine. The identical or opposite hand parts will be given the samereference character, with prime notation added,

wit-hout making a full description of these parts.

The label applying means, in part, comprises a pair of rotating turretsbroadly designated by reference characters 31 and 31 (Figures 1, 4, 6,

9, l3 and 15). These turrets have nozzles ABCD and AB'CD' respectively.In the drawings the -nozzles are spaced approximately at 90 apart andare rotatable in a substantially horizontal portions 25, a platform 26is provided forsup- 1 porting the lowermost spool in proper position.

Also, as an additional means for holding the spool in the properposition onthe platform 26, a bar 21 is provided, said bar having itslower end engaging the periphery of the spool and having its upper endattached to an arm'28 as at 2801. which, in turn, is pivotally securedas at 29 to the spool chute l1. A suitable weight 30 is secured to theextreme upper end of the bar 21 so as'to normally press the entireassembly downwardly.

It will be noted by observing Figure 6 that a third arm 3| is alsosecured to the strap'member 21 as at 28a and the free end of this arm isadapted to rest on top of an inclined platform 32 during a labelingoperation. The free end of arm 3| serves to hold a labeled Yspool inposition for label detecting and pressing operations. When, however, thelowermost. spool in chute H is released, the members 21, 28 and 3| arerotated to substantially a dotted line position to thereby release thetwo spools which are respectively held by arms 21 and 3|. Attention iscalled to the function of the free end of arm 3|. When this arm is inthe bold line position shown in Figure 6 it serves to hold a labeledspool in position-so that an additional pressing operationcan beeffectedso as to more firmly press the label in position upon each endof thespool head. Also plane.

The turret 31 is fixedly secured as at .40 upon the upper end ofavertically disposed .shaftjM.

As'a means for supporting the shaft 4| a suitable able-grooved guideways44. .These'guideways 44 are secured to'the upperbed plate I2. Shaft 4|is not only rotatably mounted in the bracket "42,

but the upper "end thereof has a slight lateral movement in thedirection of the guideways when labels are being applied. A slot 45' iscut inthe bedplate |2 tofperm'it this lateral movement,

nozzles A and A on the turrets 31 and-3 1 re- Ha label has been omitted,or improperly applied, a feeler mechanism serves to segregate thesespools when held by arm 3|. The mechanism employed for applying thelabels, pressing the labels, and removing the spool having no labelthereon will be later described.

In the operation of the present machine an operator usually stacks thespools 20 within the chute |1 one upon the other. The lowermost spool 20is disposed between suitable label applying means which intermittentlyand simultaneously apply a label to each end of the spool. When thelabel is applied this same label applying means serves to remove thelabeled spool from lowermost position and thereby allow the nextsucceeding spool to fall into labeling posi-';

tion upon platform 26. As the labeled spool is removed, that is movedlaterally to theright in Figure 6, the members 21, 28 and 3| are rotatedupwardly about'pivot point 29 to'substantially dotted line position topermit the lowermost labeled spool to'roll downwardlyfrom platform 26 toa second platform 35 and then to the next succeeding platform 32 whereit willlbe temporarily retained by arm 3|.in the position showninFigures 3 and 6. I

and a suitable star-shaped cam 41 i's'projvide'd on the upper end of. arotating shaft 48 to cause'the rotating shaft to move (Figures 4 and 9).The

prongs of cam'41'are adapted to engagealprojection 46 on base "43 of thebracket 42 and thereby cause the shaft 4| and 'theassociated turret 31to'move toward and away from the adjacent spool head. In the positionshown in Figures 3, 4, and 9 the engage both ends of the spool. This'inward movement is caused bytension springs 49;whlch springs areconnected between brackets '50 and 50, secured on the upper ends-ofbracketsllan'd 42 byany suitable means such as screws 52. and

52- .Irespectively. .It is evident'that the shape'of the star-shaped cam41 .will determine ltheitime at which this inward movement of thenozzles ABCD andA'B'CD"takesplaceas well as the time .of withdrawal ofthese nozzles. "In the present disclosure, .the'nozzles are permitted tosuddenly .move inwardly intoengagement with the spool head undertheforceof springs .491bu are gradually withdrawn outwardly.

Attention is also called tothefact that the cam 41 continuously rotates.Thisrotationyis-effected by achain of driven parts hereinafterdescribed.

The lower end of the-shaft has a sprocket 55 fixedly secured thereon(Figure l),'upon which a chain 56 is mounted. This chain 56.;is a lsomounted upon a secondsprocket 51 substantially 'of' the samesize, andwhich -is fixedly secured upon anothershaft 58 (Figures l 'and 2). I- heupper end of shaft-584s=journaled in a-braoket 60,'said bracket;extending downwardly from the upper bed plate 12,- and =the lower end-of ;t he shaft 58 is rotatably-mounted" in :abracketil.

said bracket 6| extending upwardly.v from the lower bedplate- Abeveledgear-.62? is fixedly secured onthelower end of'theshaft 58(Figures 1A and 2). This gear meshes with another beveledgear 63substantially'of the-same size, said gear 63 being fixedly'secured upona main drive shaft 64 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted in bearings65, 66 and 6-1.

Upon one end of the main drive shaft 64 a large gear 68 is fixedlysecured, and this gear meshes with a pinion 69 (see Figure 3). Pinion B9is. rotatably mounted upon a shaft lllsupportediby a bracket saidbracket 1| being securedito the end frame ID by. any suitable means suchas bolts or rivets l2. Integral with pinion 69 is a pulley 13 upon,which a suitable belt or other driving means is adapted to be mountedfor driving the machine. Since the pulley i3 is constantly rotated itisevident that the cam 4;! will likewise continuously rotate through thedescribed connecting parts, designated by refer ence characters 48, '55,56, 51, 58, B2, 63, 64, 68 and B9. The rotation of cam 41. will causethe turrets.3'| and 37' together with their associated nozzles toconstantly reciprocate toward and away from each other and therebyengage the opposed ends of the lowermost spool head 20.

In the present embodiment of the invention the turrets 31 and 31together with the associated nozzles are not rotating While the same aremoved toward the spool heads. This nonrotating position is maintaineduntil the labels have been applied to the opposed ends of the spoolhead. When it is desired to remove the spool from position the turretsare again rotated While the spool is clamped between the opposed nozzlesto thereby expel the spool from lowermost position within the chute andallow thenextsucceeding spool to fall into its place.

As the nozzles rotate from stationary engaging position with the spoolhead the cam .41. tends to gradually separate the turrets 37 and 31'.After making substantially a 90 rotation the turrets again ceaserotation with their proximate nozzles in separated positions relative tothelowermost spool in the chute. It istherefore seen that it isnecessary to provide means for intermittently rotating the turrets 31and 31 through angles of 90 so that the labels can be applied to thespool head while the turrets are not rotating.

Intermittent rotating means for turrets 37 and 37' Figure 17 shows thetiming of the nozzle and turret bodily movement with relation to therotative movement of the turrets and nozzles.

It is here seen that the nozzles and turrets are stationary about 70% ofthe first quarter revolution of the main drive shaft 64. In other words,as shown in this diagram the nozzles and turrets are stationary about35% of the first quarter revolution of shaft 64 and then the turrets andnozzles rotate through an angle of about 90 during the next succeeding30% of the first quarter revolution of this same shaft 64. During theremaining 35% of the first quarter revolution of shaft 64 the nozzlesand associated turrets are stationary During this first quarterrevolution of the main drive shaft 64 the turrets and nozzles are alsomoved bodily toward and away from the spool heads. In this same diagramit is shown the time during which the nozzles are engaging the spoolheads. In other ret member wordsthe nozzles. arenotarotating whentheyare bodily moved against the spool heads, and the nozzlesremaininthisengagedpositlon until the urrets haverotateu througha substant al ane- ;to expel the. spool (se Figure 1.

that the lower portion of shaft 4|v has. fixedly se u d herearound a. sutable. tar-shaped disk 15, said diskhaving f ur radia ly d sposed. sl tsHi therein. spaced. substantially 90 apart. Betwe n th adjacent s ots165 the per phery of disk 15 has concave notches 11 cut therein, therebeing four of such concave notches. The radius of each of the concavenotches is substantially the same as theouter, radiusof asecondidisk 18,which disk is fixedly secured around shaft 58 previously described. Thisdisk 18 also has suitable concave notches f|8 a cut in the peripherythereof substantially at 90f apart. Disk 18 is secured upon the upperportion of a circular plate 19, said plate having extending upwardlytherefrom. a plurality of; pins 81! of such diameter as will be capableof entering the slots It as the disks 18 and 15 rotate. The position ofeach of the pins 83 is substantially centered relative to each of thenotches 18a in disk 18. It will be noted that the depth of the notches18a is sufficient to clear the outermost tips of the starshaped disk 15during the rotation of the parts. In other words, as the shaft 58rotates in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 2 the pins on the farside of main drive shaft 64, will enter, the slots 16 in the .disk'lfi,and uponfurther rotation of the shaft 53 the, rotation of disk 15 andthe associated shaft 4| will be produced. After the shaft 4| has beenrotated through an angle of approximately the slot 76. will be in aposition to release the pin 8i! and thereafter the disk 15 willremainstationary until the next succeeding pin 89 engages the nextsucceeding slot 1.6 in the disk 15. Then the same one-fourth revolutionof shaft 4| will be repeated.

In Figure 1A it is seen that the shafts 4| and 4|" have intermeshinggears 8| and 8| respectively mounted thereon. I'hesegears havesubstantially thesame, diameter and therefore when one shaft 4| and. itsasso'ciatedturret and nozzle mechanism is rotated the other shaft andvits associated turret and nozzle will likewise be rotated an equalamount in the opposite direction.

The lower ends ofshaft4| and 4 are rotatably mounted in brackets 82 and82' respectively. Disposed on the projecting portions of these shaftsand beneath the bearings are compression springs 83 and 83', saidcompression springs being confined on this projecting portion; by anysuitable means such as collars 8,4 and 84' respectively. The purposeofproviding the springs 83 and 83', and collars 84 and 84" isto permit theshafts 4| and 4|, together with their associated turrets, to be pulledupwardly a substantial amount when it is. desired to separate theturrets 31 and 3"! from brackets 50 and 50'. For example it is oftendesired to inspect certain concealed slots, perforations and the likeand also to lubricate the engaging surfaces between tur- 31 and; thestationary bracket member 50 uponwhich the turret member rests. Byemploying the Present construction this may be e si y done by merelyraising the shafts 4| and 4 t while; compressing: springs 8:3; and: 83..

'plate 95. This 'has' afriction the exposed label from amass oflabelswhich are disposed within amaga'zine.

"Substantially at the same time a labelois being moved against the'endof the lowermost spool "20 by a nozzle, a labelmagazine isdelivering a label to another nozzle which is disposed substantially.180from thelabel applyingnozzle.

For example in Figure 17 it is seen thatduring the first one-quarterrevolution of drive shaft 64 the label magazine first moves inwardly fora short time interval asindi'cated by the line entitled Label magazinemoving inwardly. During this time interval the turret and nozzles arenot'rota'ting. Then while theiturret is .still in a non-rotatingposition the label magazine reaches its innermost position and engages anozzle, after which. the -magazine immediately moves in the oppositedirection for a short time interval as indicated in Figure 17 by theline entitled Label magazinemoving outwardly. This backand forthmovement continuesin timed relation to the operation of the machine.

Since-the turret 3I'moves bodilytoward and away from the spool head, andsince the label magazine also moves back and forth substantially inalignment withthebodily motion of the turret it is necessary to timethese movementsso that the nozzles of the turret clear the end .of thelabel magazineduring rotation. Withthe above-mentioned remarks in mind avsuitable sliding plate 85 has been mounted between the groovedguideways 4,4. Extending upwardly from the outer end of this 'plate isan L-shaped-bracket 86 which has pivoted on the upper end thereof as at81 a tubular magazine 88.

Magazine 88 has the left-hand end thereof open and the right-hand endthereof closed, in Figures 1 and 3, except for a small hole in theright-hand end which slidably receives a rod 89.

Rod89 has anenlarged head90 on'its end which is disposedinsidethetubular magazine'88. 'Disposed around that portion ofthe rod 89 withinthe tubular magazine is a weak compression spring ,9I which urgestheheadportion 90 inwardly at all times andthereby compresses a mass oflabels 92 toward the open end of the magazine.

Asa'm'eans for retarding the inward movement of the rod 89 and theheadportion 90 a suitable braking device is employed. Figure 5 shows thebraking device which is located on the left-hand end of Figures 1 and 3,but which is identical to the braking mechanism on the'right-hand end.This braking'mechanism comprises a lever 93' which is pivotedintermediate its ends as at 94' to'a plate is secured to the closed endthe machine as viewed in of the magazine- 88. One end of the lever 93band 96 on the upper side thereof whichengages the periphery of theprojecting rod 89'.' Asafurther means for holding this friction band inengagement with the rod 89 a suitable'torsion spring 91 is employed.This friction applying'rneans is always engaging rod 89' when-themagazine is in outermost position, that is, whenth'e mass of labels 92'areout o'f-engage- T of the mass to be transferred toithe suction noz-.zle and at the sametime'retain: the remainder the .spool 20, the lever93"isrotatedby 'raisuitable'stationary cam" 98 towa position'iwhere thebraking action will-berelievedtand therefore the force of thecompressioncspring '9 I :will be permitted to compress the mass of=lab'els82 inwardly against the adjacent nozzle;

-.'I he;cam'98 is-formedfon the upper endrof a.

:substantially z-shaped member t99i, said mem- :ber ibeing secured:toxone of the grooved-:guideways 44 by any suitable meansrsuch aststudibolt 'I00. A slot IOI' .is provided in the bar fl9'zto permitadjustment-"of the position (oft cam surface 98'. :An identical brakingstructure is associated with' magazine '88,and'is indicated'by the samereference characters with the primeinotation "omitted. When the magazine:.has been .moved inwardly :the maximum amount to.:apply the innermostlabel to the associated suction nozzle, the magazine againmeves'outward'ly,cat whichtime the levers 93 and"93"moveoif'rcamsurfaces 98 and .98 respectively to instantly .1 applya braking action.t'o'rod's' 89*and 89. .The lbraking .action will .preventthe' springsBII'Tfr'om :pushing the labels 92 out .of the open end of the labelmagazines whenithe turret nozzles are not in position to receive them; 7

It is important .thato'nly one label at. .a time beremoved fromithemass. of labels!!! within the: magazine .88. When the. magazine movesinwardly towards one ofthe nozzles to deliver'a .label the entire massof labels is'pr'esse'd against :.the nozzle. as a result ofvthef'braking .mechani'sm f92 to 91 'inclusive being:released andonaccount of thermovement of the 'magazineiand adjacent .nozzle towardeach. other. When the magazine and labels are withdrawn a retardingmeans supplements the action 'of the 1 braking means previouslydescribed to cause only-the exposed'ilabel of the labels in themagazine.

This retarding ."means comprises :a'. pair .of -oppositely disposedbrushes I02 and I03 (seelFigures 1 and 9), said brushes having one endthereof loosely secured to the outeriperi-phery ofmaga- ,zine 88 asatI04 and 'I0 5respectively. The bristles of brushes I02 and 103 penetrateoppositely disposed slots I06 in the inner'end ,offma'gazi'ne tube 88and engage the innermost end ofritlie mass of labels; consequently, whenthe magazine and labels are being withdrawn after having "delivered oneof the labels to the suction nozzle the bristles of these .brusheswillpreventadditional} labels from moving out the tube.

same time the friction .or braking mechanism .At the previouslydescribed will relieve the inward pressure normally exertedlby springi9I uponftheinass of labels. This braking, mechanism willlbeapplied torod '89 immediately upon the beginning of the outermost movement of thelabelln'iagazine. Resilient bands I'06a .serve to 'pressfthe free endsof brushes I02 and I 03 togetheragain'st :labels 92.

Attention is caneatd the fact that the ma- 'zi ne 88 may be rotatedabout its hingepointtl. TFfigure 1 shows two positions whichv thesemaga- ZlnQS may occupy. j'The dottedJline'positions of the magazines 88and '88 are usually assmned when it is desired to refill the samewithjlab'els, and the bold line positions are'occupied "during normaloperation. 'Whenin thebold line positionthe'free end of; the labelmagazine rests 75 upon-asecond-angle bracket llllwhichis sea ar-1,969;

cured to the upper .side of plate 8.5 previously described.

The reciprocatory motion of the magazine 88 is produced byza mechanismwhich will-now be described. By'observingfFigure 1 :it -will. be seenthat the bottom of plate '85 has'a toothed'rack I08 upon thelowerrfacerthereof; said :rack meshing with. a pinion 1 I19 upon shaft;IL'III. Thisshaft is rotatably mountediina downwardly extending bracketIII andhas a lever .I'I;2ffiXedly secured thereon. Ailin-k'I I3:has itsupper-end' pivotally secured to the free "end of lever II2,"t'he lowerend of said link being pivotally secured to a laterallyextendingtarm.'II4 asiat :I1I5.

Arm I14 is securedit'oitheiupper.en'd 'of:a;rocl III; which, inturn,issli'dably'nrountedforfvertical reciprocatory motion in bearingsIiIfI. Thesebearings are supported Jby side frames I 9. Figures 1, 1A,2'and 6 clearlyshowthestructure of'the rod IIB; It is here seen that thelower end of the rodTI I6 has ahorizontal legjl I8=Which rests upon asubstantially square-cam I I9,-said cam I19 being fixedly secured uponthe 'main drive shaft-B4 previously described; Asa means forsupp'ortingthesfree end of'laterally extending leg '8, a suitablediagonalbr-ace IZIIisprovided. Also-as a means for'preventing rotativemovementof leg'II8-about rod II'Bas acenter, an L-shaped bracket m isprovided, which brackethasa slot I 23 in'the-upper-en'd thereof for thereception of the end or the leg. This L shaped bracket I22 issupported'by the lower bed plate II. In order'to yiel'dably hold thehorizontal leg I'I8'against theperiphery of the square cam II9, asuitable tension spring I24 is provided.

As the 'ma-in' drive shaft rotates the high and low'sides-of cam -'I"I9'Will cause 'th'erod H6 to rise and fall'four times during eachrevolution. This motion of the rod I'I6 will serve "to reciprocate labelmagazine 88 back and forth, that is toward and away from-theturret13'1'four times for each revolution of the main drive shaft, andconsequently,four labels will be successively delivered to-thesuction nozzles A to Dinclusiveas the nozzles 'move'to 'receiving positions. It is ofcourse'understood .that each time the-magazine 88 is advanced inwardlythat a nozzle-will beina stationaryposition toreceive the'exposed'label' which is disposed'in the magazine.

Label-vacuum means As heretofore stated a suction or partial. vacuumisemployed for holding-the labels: 92 upon the nozzles A to D inclusivewhile the nozzles:

serving-Figure. 13 'that the bores r I 32Jare'arranged substantially inthe arc ofwa circle, using; the

shaft 4| as-a center.

.Since the .lower portion ofturret 3j'I res'ts in face .i to facecontact with the upper portion of bracket 59, the openings I32 will beclosed .by

groove I34 begins at the label receiving position and'ends at the-labelapplying: position. Inother words, whenone ofthe nozzles is disposedinstationary position and in the position for receiving a label 32-fromthe mass of labels in'themagazine, one end of the circular groove I34is-corn-- municating with-a bore I32 and l a compartment I.3I. At-thesame time the oppositely disposed nozzle, that is the nozzle located180fr0m-thelabel .-receiving.nozz1e, is'disposed in a position forapplyingalabelto-the spool-head. This oppositely disposed nozzle iscommunicating with theother end ofthe circular grooveI34. Theintermediate' nozzle also has suction applied thereto to holditsrespective labelin position. When a nozzle rotates from the 'labelapplyingposition to label receiving position'the'suction is eliminatedbecause the'groove I34'is not located adjacent this path of I travel.

Communicating with one end'of groove I34j-is a pipe I31, said pipepassing downwardly through bedplate I-2 to a vacuum tank 'I-38 (Figures1,:6, 9, 13 and 14). Leading from thevacuum tank is another pipe I39whichextends horizontally and then downwardly to thesuctionend of*asuitableair pump I49. This pumpiszpositioned on'the lower-bed plate II"andxhasaishaft I4I extending therefrom which is connected to. amotorshaft, I42 of'motorl'43, said :motor "also being supported bythelower bedJplate II. Pump I49 operates'continuously to provide: acontinuous suctionwhich results in a :partial vacuum .in

the. nozzles A'to iD-inclusive; It isalso noted that reach nozzle isopen during itsnttravel .from label:applyingposition-to'label receivingposition but once thenozzle is' not incommunication with groove 134 notsuction will be present, but this nozzle: is usually. not .in:communication With the circular groove I34. Even'though one-or more ofthe nozzles shouldbe'open and'in communi-' cation with thegroove I34,the amount of'suctionproduced by the pumpis-suflicient to still createan inward flow of air through the additional nozzles tohold labelsthereon.

commonly used onspool heads for advertising.

and identification purposes. This label 92 has one face "thereof coatedwith a suitablev adhesive I49, said adhesive usuallybeing dry so as tomakeit possible to place the-labels side by side-in a'stack' without'one label'adhering to the other. When using labels having a driedadhesivethereon it-is necessary 'to provide means for rendering thisadhesive elfective before the label is-applied to the spool head. In thepresent disclosure a suitable atomizing spray has been employedwhereby'water or other suitable liquid is applied to :the dried adhesiveI49, after the label has been positioned upon one of thenozzles andbeforethe nozzle has reached label applying-aposition. It is alsonecessary that the labels be placed in the magazine-88iin-such-a mannerthat when 'a label is withdrawn and positioned upon a nozzle theexposedsurface of each 5 withdrawn label will have the dried adhesiveI49 thereon.

tain' water or other suitable liquid for m'ois't'e'n ing purposes.Extending downwardly from the top of the receptacle IIJis a tube I51,the upper end of saidtube being disposed substantially at the sameelevation as the'center of nozzles A to D-inclusive. The end of "an airpipe I52 is disposed in close proximity to the upper end of the pipeI5fI, said pipe I52-being also 'substantially'in alignmentwith theplaneof rotation ofthe nozzles; I

' When'a blast'of compressed'air is'emitted from the pipe I52 it blowsover the-upper end of pipe 'I 5I and: thereby draws the liquid upwardlythrough tlie pipe and atom-izes-the same; This atomizedliquid isdirectedjont o the label 9 is disposed upon the adjacent nozzle;- As thelabel -travels from the label"receivin 2,;. esition to the l'ab'elapplying position it passes'through this spray -and' the adhesive I4$lthereon is *thereby moistened. When the labelandnozzle reach a positionopposite the-spray on: the travel from label receiving to labelapplyin'gposition, it is stopped fo'ra' short time interval to permitthe adhesive'to be properly exposed i A suitable funnel-shaped' memberl54 is pr'ovided for converging the "atomized" spray after it leavestheiup'per' en'd of'p'ipe I5I. Thisrfunn'elshaped member directs thespray upon the label carried by the' nozzle;

Air is supplied' to'the pipe I52 byan'y suitable meanssuchas 'pipe' I55;fitting" I56} hose I51, va1ve I58,"hos'e I59, reservoir ISOand Pipe IGI,said pipe I 6I "beingc'onnected t'o -th'e' outle't side of air pump l462The airiwhichis expelled from this pump is forced into reservoir. IBOjupithrOugh the'pipe. I 59, valve I58; hose. I 51, 'flttin'g'fl 56,hose I55 and-into pipe I52 (Figuresil, 1A, .2;-..an'd 6) It is onlynecessary that the :atomizing. equipment operate. while *thelabeliis inposition for receiving" the 1 spray; consequently; means :have' been iprovided for cutting; the? compressedtair on and oilb'yzthe-manipula'tion of the valve'l 58 (Fig-v ures 1, 6 and-8). The"valvehas'aplug'l62rotatably mounted therein, said plugjhaving a" transverse bore-I 63 through-which the air passes; The plug; I 62 extends-tothe exterior of the valve I58 and has a lever I 65 extending therefrom;the free end of said lever havinga link I66j-"pivotally securedthereto,-which 'link' is-pivotallyzsecuredas at I61 to arm-- H4previously-described. Each time the rod II6' moves up and down the valveI58 is cut on and off to"intermittently permit air,

to escape from 'pi'pe I52=andthereby direct an atomized spray: onto thelabel 92 upon the. adj acent nozzle.

Presser mechanism for the applied labels After the labels have beenapplied to the'opposed ends of the spools, the spools are'releasedfrom-the nozzles andallowed'to -roll first upon inclined platform 35and'then to inclined platform 32. Occasionally, the nozzles do notproperly apply-the-labels' to the spool heads. In-order'to' in-theposition shown in: Figures- 3 and 6. As,

heretofore stated the is: held in this posttionfor the subsequentpressingroperlation :by the 1 free-end of bar 3 I which-bar"-forms-a-+pa-rt or the I f '75 spoolescapement' mechanism.

This" pressing- In ordertopermit the free'end of the bell crank:

to impart straight line reciprocatory motion? to the tubular member 'I1Iwithout binding anyxof the parts, slot I11 isprovided' in-the' upper endof the bell. crank for the reception of the bolt I16. The bell crank I15is pivotally. mounted as! at I18 to a'do'wnw'ardly extending'bracketI19, which bracketis: supported by the bedplate I2. In.

vertical leg of bellcrank I15 a slot I is cut in'the'bed plate I2. y 1

- The horizontal leg of bell crank I15 hasits free end pivotally securedto the upper end'of a vertically disposedlink I8I, and thelower end 'ofthis link is pivotally-secizred tothe arm -I I4'as at- I82.-As"the-square cam H9 and main driveshaft64 rotate, the rod IIS andassociated arm- I I4' will reciprocate, up and down, in the-manner:heretofore-described. This reciprocationwill impart horizontalreciprocation'to thetubular mem ber HI and to the'presser'head I10'to'thereby cause the labelupon-the spool head tobeagain pressed morefirmlyin position; The timeofengagement :01 the spool head'by the memberI10 is substantially the same as the time ofengagement by the turretnozzles of the'spool heads; however, there is a slight variation in thetimeof engagement and the time of release, as will beseen byobserving-the timing diagram in Fig'-.

ure l'l.

Unlabeled spoolcap'turing mechanism I If for any reason. a labelbecomesdetached from the spool. heads it is'necessary to perform the labeling,operation again. Heretofore it has been necessary for an. operator toinspect eachendof each labeled spool to ascertainwhether or not thelabel wasproperly applied- The present device-has meansiwhereby theabsence of a; label upon a spool head will cause the spool. to. berejected andctransferred by Way of another route to a segregatedposition. It is seen by observing Figures 11 and 12 that each of thespools 20 has a longitudinal bore 20a therethrough. Each end' of 1 thisbore 20a is covered by a label 92 When the spool is properly labeled. Ifa label is'omitted from one end of the'spool' the hole is, ofcourse,left open.

As a detecting means for ascertaining whether or not a label'ha's beenomitted from the endof the spool head, a suitable conical plunger I isprovided, said plunger I85 being slidably' mounted in the inner end oftubular member 1 HI. A hole I86 is provided in the presser headI10,'said hole being of sufficient diameter to permit the conicalplungerto pass therethrough without friction. This plunger 185 has a rod I88:

integral therewith, said rod having a weak com pression springI89-therearound'which normally" tends. to force the plunger I85outwardly through"- This compression spring has the" the bore I86.right-hand end thereof in Figure 10 abuttin'g' a transverse wall f I90within" the tubular member order to providethe necesSarycIearanceforthaExtending downwardly from :the righteh'and end of rod I88 is an armiIBI, said am being slidably mounted in the slot I 92 'cut inithe tube.

III. A cord I93 has one en'd'thereof' fastened to'the'lowermost end ofarm I9I, said cordpassing around a, pulley I94 which,'in-turn, i's rotatably supported by the outermost end'of tubular member I! I. This cordhasits other end' secured to'bracket H3 and at IE5.

The purpose of the cord H23 and :pulley IE5 is to normally hold theconicalplunger I85in 'retracted position when the tubular members, I'IIisin an outermost position. When the'tubular member HI and I'll aremoved inwardly to spool engaging position, such'as'shown in Fi ure 11,the pulleys I'94-and- I94 will also be moved inwardly thereby permittingthe plungers I85 and 185 to move against'the label 'onthe-spool headunder the force of the weak'compression springs I89. If a label isnotpresent, such as shown-in Figure 12, the. plunger i85-will be movedinwardly into the bore 22a. Then when'the. tu-

bular member I'H moves outwardly again, the

plunger will pull the spool off the :platform-32. Upon further outwardmovement of thetubular member the cord I93 will serve to retract theplunger within the tubular member and thereby release the spool andpermit it tofalldownwarde 1y. -A suitable opening I 91 is provided inthe, bed plate I'2 through which the rejected-spools are .permitted'toif all after having been 1 released by'the' retracting plunger I85 Inthe drawings and specification, the-re has been set forth a preferredembodiment of-the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used-in agenericanddescriptivefor-intermittently rotating saidrotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for each rotary memberandadapted'to hold aplurality of labels, one side of each label havingdried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneously transferring a labelfrom each magazine to one nozzle of each rotary member during'thetime'intervalbetween saidintermittent rotations, spray headsfordirecting moisture upon the adhesive fa'ceof said transferred labelsduring a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations;means for feeding an article between-the two-proximate nozzles of saidseparated rotary members, and means -for simultaneously moving theseparated rotary members together with theiproximate nozzles,landsprayed labels, toward-the opposite sides of said article during anothersucceeding time interval between said intermittent rotaticns to therebyapply labels to the article.

2. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separatedrotary members having a plurality of spaced fixed suction nozzles, meansfor intermittently rotating said rotary members and nozzles, a labelmagazine for each rotary member and adapted to hold a plurality oflabels, one side of each label having dried adhesive thereon, means forsimultaneously transferring a label from each magazine to one nozzle ofeach rotary member during the time interval between said intermittentrotations, spray heads for directing moisture upon the adhesive face ofsaid transferred labels during a succeeding time interval between saidintermittent rotations, :a valve for controlling the spray heads, meansfor closing said valve: when the rotary 'member's an'dfnozzles arerotating and for opening the valve when the rotary: members and nozzlesare stationary, means for feeding: an article between the two proximatenozzlesof said separated'rot'ary members, and'means. for simultaneouslymoving'the separatedwotary members together'with the proximate nozzlesand sprayed labels, toward the opposite sides 'of saidarticle duringanother: succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations tothereby apply labels to the article.

3. Apparatus for applying labels 'to articles comprisingv'a rotarymember having a plurality of spa'ced fixed nozzles, suction means forsaid nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary'member, a,magazine for holding aplurality .of labels, each of said labels having adried adhesive face: remotely disposed from said rotary member, means.for trans'ferring a, label from said m'agazineto oneof said nozzlesduring a time intervalb'etween said intermittent rotatio'ris, means forspraying moisture on the exposed adhesive face of said transferred labelduringa succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations,and means for moving the rotarymember towards the. article to apply thesprayed label onto the article during an-. othersuc'ceeding tim'einterval between said intermittent rotations.

4. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separatedrotary members, each rotary memberhaving a. plurality of spaced fixednozzles, suction means for'said nozzles, means for intermittentlyrotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for eachrotary member and adapted to hold'a plurality of labels, one side ofeach label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneouslytransferring a label from each magazine to'one of the nozzles of theassociated'rotary member-duringthe time interval between saidintermittent rotations,

means for simultaneously spraying the exposed adhesive faces of saidtransferred labels during a'succeeding time intervalbetween saidintermittent rotations, means for feeding an article between saidseparated-rotary members, means for simultaneously moving the separatedrotary members togetherwith the proximate'nozzles and sprayed labelstowardtheoppositesidesof said article'durin'g another succeeding timeinterval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels tothe article.

5. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising twospaced'turret-s, each turret having a nozzle, suction means forreleasably holding' anadhesive label upon the respective nozzles, meansfor feeding an article between said turrets. means for rotating saidturrets step by step to position the nozzles and associated labelsadjacent'oppositesides-of-said article-means forsimultaneouslymovin-gsai'd turrets together with the-nozzles and labelstoward said article during the time interval between said step by steprotations to thereby apply the labels to the articles.

6. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two relativelymovable spaced turrets, each turret having a nozzle, suction means forreleasably holding an adhesive label upon the respective nozzles, meansfor feeding an article between said turrets, means for rotating saidturrets step by step to position the nozzles and associated labelsadjacent opposite sides of said ings whereby the nozzles will besimultaneously moved toward and away from opposite sides of said articleduring the time interval between said intermittent rotations to therebyapply labels-to the article.

'7. Apparatus for applying labels to, articles comprisingja-rotarymember having a pluralityrof spaced fixed nozzles, suction means forsaid nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said'rotary member, amagazine for holding a' stack of labels, eachxof said'labels having adried adhesive face remotely disposed from said rotary member, means formoving said magazine and said stack toward said nozzle during the timeinterval between said intermittent rotations to cause the exposed labelon one end of the stack to be transferred to one of the nozzles, aspring-pressed plunger" engaging the other end of said stack of labels,and cam operated means for arresting the pressure of said plunger uponthe'stack of labels duringjanother succeeding time intervalibetweensaid' intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels-tothe article.

10. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two spacedturrets, each turret hav-- simultaneously moving saidturrets togetherwith when the magazine moves away from the nozzle I and forreleasingsaid plunger against the'stack of labels when the magazine is movingtoward the nozzle.

8. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary memberhaving a plurality of spaced fixednozzles, suction means-for'said noz+zles', means for intermittentlyrotating said rotary member, a magazinefor holding a plurality of labels, each of said labels having a driedadhesive face remotely disposed fromsaid rotary member, means fortransferring a label from said magazine to one of said nozzles during atime interval between said. intermittent rotations, means for sprayingmoisture on the exposed adhesive face of said transferred label during asucceeding time interval between said intermittent rotations, and 1means for moving the rotary member together with the sprayed labeltowards the article to apply the sprayed labels to the article duringanother succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations tothereby apply the label to thearticle.

9. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separatedrotary members, each rotary member having a plurality of spaced fixednozzles, suction means forsaid nozzles, means for intermittentlyrotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for eachrotary member and adapted to hold a plurality of labels, one side ofeach label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneouslytransferring a label from each magazine to one of the nozz1es of theassociated-rotary member during the time interval between saidintermittent rotations, means for simultaneously spraying theexposedadhesive faces of saidtransferred labels during a succeeding timeinterval between said intermittent rotations, means for feeding anarticlebetween said separated'rotary members, and means forsimultaneously moving the separated'rotary-memb'ers together with theproximate nozzles and sprayed labels toward the opposite sides of said'article the. nozzles and labels toward said article'during' the timeinterval between said step by step rota;- tions to thereby'apply thelabels to the article;

11. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary memberhaving a nozzle, suc-" tion means for releasably holding an adhesivelabel upon said nozzle, means for intermittently rotating said member toposition the nozzle and associated label adjacent said article, andmeans for bodily moving the rotary member together with the nozzle andlabels, towardthe article to thereby apply the label to the articleduring'the time interval between said intermittent rotations' 12.Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary member,fixed suction means for releasably holding a label upon said member,means for intermittently rotating said member and suction means, meansfor rendering said label adhesive during a time interval between saidintermittent rotations, and means for bodily moving the rotary membertogether with said suction means and label toward said article during asucceeding time interval between said intermittent rotations to therebyapply the label to the article.

13. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two spacedturrets, each turret having a nozzle, suction means for releasablyholdingan adhesive label upon the respective nozzles, meansfor'feeding'an article between said turrets, means for rotating saidturrets step by step to positionthe nozzles and associated labels adjacent opposite sides of said article, means for simultaneously movingsaid turrets together with said nozzles and labels toward said articleduring the time interval between said step by step rotations to therebyapply the labels to the article.

14..Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotarymember, fixed suction means for releasably holding a label upon saidmember,

means for intermittently rotating said member and'suction means, meansfor rendering said label adhesive during a timeinterval between saidintemittent' rotations; means for bodily mov-

